FFAJ Reports Growth in Japanese Binary Options Volumes in August 2017

The Financial Futures Association of Japan (FFAJ) today released its trading volume data on over-the-counter (OTC) binary options for the month of August 2017. An 8 percent growth in trading volumes was recorded compared to July 2017. Growth in trading volumes this year has been inconsistent, with periods of consecutive decline spanning months.

For August 2017, the FFAJ recorded 8.1 percent growth in volumes to ¥38.4 billion ($350 million) compared to ¥35.5 billion ($320 million) in July 2017. The growth in volumes can be attributed to the summer holidays in Japan in which a decline in volumes is recorded every year, and a rise in Volatility due to geopolitical tensions. Year-on-year, trading volumes have grown 9.4 percent.

During the month of August, the number of trading accounts increased marginally, by 0.5 percent to 374810 accounts from 372820 accounts in July. Active user accounts also increased month-on-month by 5 percent to 11,020 accounts from 10524 accounts.

Though there is a marginal increase in total trading accounts in August, the FFAJ should be concerned about the slow growth in trading accounts and inconsistent growth in trading volumes. Lately the FFAJ has been facing stiff competition from the rise in popularity of digital currency trading.